Peyronie's Disease(Curvature of the Penis)

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

What is Peyronie's disease?

Peyronie's disease (also termed Peyronie disease) is the development of scar
tissue inside the penis that causes the penis to develop abnormal curvature
(contracture) in the scarred area. The disease may occur in about 1% to 8% of men,
most frequently in men aged about 40 to 70 years old. The disease also may occur
more frequently with men that develop:

What causes Peyronie's disease?

The exact cause of Peyronie's disease is not known. However, whatever can
cause plaque or scar formation in the penile shaft is a likely causal candidate.
Researchers have suggested several possible agents such as vitamin E deficiency,
beta-blocking medications, elevations in serotonin, and
genetic causes. Some
researchers think that minor vascular traumas to the penis (during sex, athletic
or exercise endeavors) that may reoccur over time may lead to scar formation. None
of these possible agents or processes is proven to be the cause to date.